New Delhi: The Afghan consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad will “remain open”, even though there are reports that the Afghan embassy in New Delhi is likely to close by the end of this month, ThePrint has learnt.
Speaking to ThePrint, Afghan Consul General in Mumbai, Zakia Wardak, and Acting-Consul General in Hyderabad, Syed Mohammad Ibrahimkhail, confirmed that they would continue carrying out their duties. They are diplomats appointed by the previous democratic government in Afghanistan, headed by President Ashraf Ghani. Both represent the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, not the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan under the Taliban, which returned to power in the country in August 2021.
The two Consul Generals declined to comment if any diplomats will be shifted from the consulates to the mission in Delhi in future.
On Friday, a day after ThePrint reported on the likely closure of the Afghan embassy in New Delhi, a statement was issued from the official handle of the Afghanistan Consulate General in Mumbai on Facebook (Meta), stating that the consulates will continue to operate and consular, cultural and commercial services have not been halted.
“We would like to respectfully assure all our citizens that our services and activities will continue with full commitment, honesty and independence for our citizens. For any kind of consular, cultural and commercial services, you can contact the Consulate General of Afghanistan in Mumbai and Hyderabad,” said the statement.
It added that the consulates continue to be in close contact with India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and are “grateful” for the support from the Indian government.
In Hyderabad, during Consul General Muhammad Suleman Kakar’s absence for the past one-and-a-half years, Ibrahimkhail has been running the mission as the only diplomat, along with five local staff.
‘Embassy sends note verbale to MEA’
ThePrint reported Thursday that a letter was sent from the Afghan embassy in Delhi to India’s MEA, expressing intent to close down the mission by the end of September.
ThePrint obtained a copy of the purported “note verbale” which stated: “It is with deep regret that the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan must inform the esteemed Ministry of External Affairs that, due to unprecedented circumstances, we are compelled to permanently cease all operations by the end of September 2023.”
It further urged the MEA to assume responsibility of the mission in Delhi and Mumbai.
“The Embassy respectfully calls upon the Ministry of External Affairs to fulfill its obligations and responsibilities concerning assuming custodial responsibility of the Afghan diplomatic mission properties located in New Delhi at the earliest possible and in Mumbai at a later mutually agreed date,” stated the purported letter.
It was addressed to the office of Indian Foreign Secretary, Vinay Khwatra, and the MEA’s Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran (PAI) Division.
ThePrint had contacted MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi to confirm receipt of the letter, but he declined to comment. ThePrint also reached Afghan ambassador Farid Mamundzay — currently in London — via WhatsApp, but got no response.
MEA sources told ThePrint that the “authenticity” of the letter is being examined.
(Edited by Poulomi Banerjee)
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